Last week I checked in on one of the blogs I frequent, and Kristine shared a link to a crochet-a-long sponsored by Lion Brand she was participating in. I crochet year around, and it doesn’t take much to spur me into starting a new project. It’s common for me to have two or three crochet projects with different colors and textures of yarn going at one time. It keeps my AADD from kicking in and complete loss of interest in a project. The pattern supplied by Lion Brand is rated “intermediate”, but it seems very easy to me. Their sample is worked in a single color…I chose three (the AADD thing again). They used a larger hook than me, and their block is a bit larger as a result. Last night I completed block seven of thirty. I’m sharing pictures, but they are at the minimum pitiful. My camera leaves much to be desired. ~ sigh ~
Argh! After seeing the picture of my blocks laid out on the table, I’m completely unhappy with the way they look. The weave is too loose for my taste. (I can’t stand for my toes to pop through an afghan when I’m trying to get cozy. I’m going to unravel them all and start over with a smaller needle. Am I ever glad I only made seven! The end product will either need more blocks or the afghan will be smaller (no brainer), but the wool costs too much not to be happy with the completed work. Lion Brand’s project is large enough the loss of a few inches won’t make that much difference. I think I’ll drop the black, too, but I’ll wait to decide.
Edit…I’ve started re-crocheting one of the blocks with an H needle (my personal favorite). Size is lost, but it looks so much nicer. I’ll post a picture of the two sizes together after I finish this one. I bet you’ll agree.
Until next time…
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. ~ unknown ~
apron strings 
Know what you mean about toes…you also do not want to catch anything in the stitches. Looking good though..like the colour scheme.
That’s a lot of progress in one day! The colors look great together. Maybe you can drop the black as blocks and use it as border colors instead. That’s what I plan to do with my 3rd color. 30 blocks isn’t too bad…I have 64 because we decided we wanted it to look like a checkerboard…D’OH!
Thank you, Kathleen. I’m just not pleased with it. I’ll like it much better in a smaller gauge even if smaller will take longer…I like the colors, too, but the color choices in wool were very limited. Most everything available is acrylic or a blend.
Kristine, it’s funny you suggested the black as a border color. I had typed that into my message and decided it against, because I am so undecided. The black will probably give me a good deal of trouble now that I’m working in a smaller gauge, because I have cataracts, and dark colors are difficult to see. I may still try to use the black for a block and see how it goes. If not, I’ll buy another color for the third pattern and use the black to border the blocks and the edge. That’s the drawback of using more than one color. As for how quickly I crocheted them…I started Sunday evening and worked again on Monday. I don’t have a little person vying for my crocheting time.
I also hate toes (or fingers) sticking out of and afghan – but I really hate ripping out and starting over!!!! LOL Can’t wait to see the finished product!!!
If you need a new project idea you should check out the Guideposts Knit for Kids sweater project. They have a crochet pattern. They are well on there way to the 500,000 mark of sweaters volunteers make and send to them to send out all over the world to kids in need. They’ve been doing this for 12 years. I taught myself how to knit making them. I’m really getting enough courage to knit other things now—it’s rather addictive—but my goal is to make one kids sweater for every “me” project. Guideposts Knit for Kids—-http://www.knitforkids.org/—check it out. I’m trying to spread the word. I think it’s such a worthy project.
Hi, Pat. I generally hate ripping out already crocheted work and starting over, but…this yarn is so sweet I’m not minding at all. The re-do is much better, so I’m very pleased. I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a while to see the completed project…it will be slow going.
I hate ripping out too but if it’s worth doing it worth doing right. I working on another girl layette set and I started and ripped out so many times I’m almost ready to give up and try a different pattern. But Satrting over again at the moment. I already recently finished a personalize afghan for a lady at my church she is expecting a baby girl and she has already named her Lydia so that’s what the blanket says. She also want purple not lavender but purple and it is done in amethyst and lilac. Here is a direct link Judy if you would like to see it. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/CauliflowerClown/001.jpg
That one was easy but guess what I did a lot of ripping out and do over in that too but it’s done and I’m glad. i hope she likes it.
Till Jesus Comes,
Laurie
Hey Pam, I’ll check out the sweater link. I want to learn to knit, but I wonder if making a sweater to start with would be my best game plan…I’m afraid baby steps is more my style. I’m all for sharing finished pieces with others. That’s at least half the blessing of having the talent/skill.
Laurie, as always your blanket is gorgeous. Where did you get the pattern?
I do have some wool which would be good for blankets, might be good as part of your prize…how many balls of each do you need if you have a colour scheme going Judy?
Kathleen, any amount would be fine if you decide to include wool in my prize. Patterns vary and one could be chosen to suit what you send, or it could be combined with other wool. Australian wool would be fun to have…assuming it is native to your country. I’m working with Canadian wool now.